U. S. GovernmentChapter 3

The Roots of American Democracy

Where did we get the idea for our type of government?

Religious influence- justice, natural law Greek democracy- direct democracyRoman Democracy- representative Religious influence Greek influences

Roman influence

English Roots

Magna Carta

Petition of Rights

English Bill of Rights

English Enlightment Thinkers

Thomas Hobbs Govt. is a result of

social contract between rulers and the people

Laid the groundwork for the idea that Govt. formed by consent of the people

John Locke Natural rights- rights we all

have because we are human- life, liberty, own property or anything gained via hard work

Social Contracts are provisional: If govt. does not provide Life, liberty etc then people have the right to form a new govt.

What did they agree on?

We agree in a social contract

which states:

People give up some of their freedoms in exchange for the government providing

security and order for the people

French Enlightment ThinkersBaron de Montequieu

Government is organized to prevent any one person/group from dominating others

Three branches of government

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Agreed with Montequieu but added popular sovereignty

Social Contract is not legal w/o popular sovereignty

If govt acts against the will of the people then social contract is dissolved?

Steps towards the Revolutionary War

Royal Charter Modification of the charter Town meetings Benign neglectArticles of Confederation

English Parliament imposes taxes 1st Continental Congress

The American ConstitutionOriginally, some founders only planned to

amend the Articles of Confederation

First ConflictBetween large and small states

Virginia PlanBicameral- two houses

Representatives for both houses would be based on

the population of each state

New Jersey PlanUnicameral- one house

Representatives would be an equal number per state

The Great CompromiseRoger Sherman

Keep Bicameral Congress

One house- representation based on population of the state

One house- representation is the same for every state

Second ConflictWhat about the slaves? Do we count them or not??

South wanted to count them as humans so that they would be awarded more representatives

They did not want to pay taxes on themNorth didn’t want slaves counted as

population, but did want them included in taxes

3/4th CompromiseCount three out of every five slaves for both

representation and taxes

Let’s ratify the thing and move on! For the Constitution to become legal, it must get nine out of the

thirteen states to sign off on it. Federalist Antifederalist Strongly favored it Did not like it *They liked a strong * Too much power central govt. In the central government * Fear of large standing army * No Bill of Rights

Federalist Papers written by John Jay, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton

85 essays written to argue for ratification

Ratified by all but R.I. and N.C.

1st Senate and Congressional elections set for Feb. 1789

George Washington becomes the first and only president unanimously elected

Bill of Rights added after ratification. Bargain made in order to get the Antifederalist to ratify constitution.